Louise B Empson Trust Under Will
Louise B Empson Trust Under Will is a private foundation, based in Clayton, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $4.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $275K. Net investment income was $264K.
Louise B Empson Trust Under Will at a glance
In short: Louise B Empson Trust Under Will gave $275K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $138K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $275,374
- +8.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $137,687
- +8.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $137,687
- Total assets
- $4,648,910
- -0.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
Who Louise B Empson Trust Under Will funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Illinois Wesleyan University ($138K). Together the top 2 received $275K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 10 grants of 10 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Louise B Empson Trust Under Will gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−7%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $253K (2024) to $297K (2023). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $275K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL | General Operations | $137,687 |
| CDF DBA Carle Ctr for Philanthropy Urbana, IL | General Operations | $137,687 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,648,910 | $301,770 | $323,854 | $275,374 | 2 | $284,192 | $263,838 | $297,140 |
| 2024 | $4,670,935 | $278,364 | $299,826 | $252,972 | 2 | $262,036 | $239,167 | $284,437 |
| 2023 | $4,690,804 | $146,504 | $344,072 | $297,308 | 2 | $306,137 | $108,076 | $274,164 |
| 2022 | $4,888,416 | $380,019 | $360,389 | $297,308 | 2 | $307,488 | $338,360 | $295,125 |
| 2021 | $4,869,872 | $650,924 | $317,110 | $268,152 | 2 | — | $611,560 | $306,294 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Louise B Empson Trust Under Will reported a distributable amount of $297K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Louise B Empson Trust Under Will is led by Commerce Trust, Trustee & Tax Preparation on every filing since 2023 — the only officer listed, and compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Commerce Trust
Trustee & Tax Preparation
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
$41K (2023) → $44K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Commerce Trust Company (2021–2022) — Trustee & Tax Preparation
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $44K, to Commerce Trust (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Louise B Empson Trust Under Will
How much does Louise B Empson Trust Under Will give each year?
Louise B Empson Trust Under Will gave $275K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $253K across 2 grants.
How large is Louise B Empson Trust Under Will?
Louise B Empson Trust Under Will reported $4.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $284K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $297K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does Louise B Empson Trust Under Will operate?
Louise B Empson Trust Under Will has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is Louise B Empson Trust Under Will's EIN?
Louise B Empson Trust Under Will's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-6220876. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Louise B Empson Trust Under Will funds
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